To prevent otherwise financially self-sufficient individuals and families from entering the cycle of poverty; to restore the financial self-sufficiency of individuals who are willing to work but are temporarily unable to do so.

Modest Needs Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that relies upon human kindness and donations from individuals to help those who face small yet potentially catastrophic, emergency expenses they cannot afford to cover alone. These expenses might include car repairs, rental assistance, doctors' or utility bills. Modest Needs helps stop the cycle of poverty BEFORE it starts for thousands of hardworking, low-income families who don't qualify for most kinds of other assistance.

Grants